The
UDM condemns the latest attempts by the European Union to scupper a trade deal
that has taken so long to negotiate, and at the current rate will take even
longer to implement.

The truth is that South Africa has acted in good faith, and has upon each
occasion of new demands reached new compromises. The time has come for the EU to
keep up their part of the bargain.

It is this type of behaviour that lies at the heart of the North-South debate;
surely it is not fair practice for the EU to bicker over a trade deal with SA
that will compromise small percentage of total EU foreign trade. The EU is
clearly aware of its huge economic advantage over us, and it appears as if the
Union is willing to abuse that advantage.

In light of the above the UDM calls on Minister Manuel to use the latest round
of IMF and World Bank meetings to raise the issue of fair trade between the
developed and the developing world.